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Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to explore the proportions of health-related content in non-program time on Australian television, and how this relates to channel, product category, program genre and whether it is an advertisement or public service announcement (PSA). Design/methodology/approach - Australian prime time television was recorded across three commercial television stations in Sydney. Non-program content (NPC) was coded according to the channel, program genre, length of content and product advertised. In total, 44 hours of programming was recorded. Findings - Not surprisingly, significant differences were found in the percentage of health-related content between advertisements (22 percent) and PSAs (67 percent). Again unsurprisingly there was also a significant relationship between the product category and health-related content (?2=366.601, p=0.000), but also between health-related content and program genre (?2=20.594, p=0.024), particularly situation comedies (31 percent) and sport (15 percent). No difference was found in the percentage of health-related content between the channels. Research limitations/implications - Differences existing in the amount of NPC across program genre suggest that viewers of programs with high rates of health-related content in advertising may have higher exposure to product dependant health information. Originality/value - Health information is examined in a general sample without focus on particular demographics or health topics and the role of program genre is investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the study that investigates children's understanding of the intent and importance of the advertisements designed to target childhood obesity in Australia. It states that childhood obesity can affect most of the major systems of the body that results in disorders of the orthopaedic, neurological, gastrointestinal and endocrine systems. It mentions that the advertisement is designed to promote the maintenance of good health.